You've Got This: 5 Tips on How to Get Started with DIY

The question I get asked the most on Instagram (@sawdust.angel) is how on earth did I get started on DIY? I also hear a lot of comments about being too scared or not knowing where to start. I can assure you right now that I am absolutely no expert when it comes to home improvement, but I can give you some tips on how I got started. This will be the first part of a "You've Got This" series I have planned. Other topics include tools you need, workspace organization, woodworking basics, and painting basics. Let me know if you'd like to learn about something else.

When I got into my first house, I either couldn't afford what I wanted or I couldn't find exactly what I wanted. I'm notorious at picturing what I want in perfect detail in my head and not being able to adequately describe it to someone else. So, I just started making things myself. I started small and built confidence as I went. I learn something new on every single project, and I encounter problems on every single project. I keep going because there is nothing like the sense of pride you feel when you finish a project that you did by yourself.

I've learned important lessons along the way so I'm sharing 5 tips with you today on how you can get started with DIY projects without losing your mind.

1. START WHERE YOU ARE.

Years ago, when my niece was 7 years old, she spent the night at our house, and my husband and I took her to play tennis. She had never played before, but we thought it would be fun to hit the ball around a bit. Obviously, she missed way more than she made contact with the ball. After a few minutes of this, I could see her shoulders tense up. I knew what was coming, and I asked Rick to stop hitting the ball to her, but it was too late. She started to cry, and Rick had no clue what was going on. My niece did what so many of us do: expect to be perfect at something on the first try. Of course she wasn't an expert tennis player her first time holding the racquet, but she really thought she would be able to volley the way my husband and I do. Many of us feel that way about DIY projects: we want to jump right in to the big project and then wonder why it didn't work out. Start where you are. Build confidence with a small project like painting a room or framing a bathroom mirror. Building custom cabinets is probably not the best project for a beginner. The first thing I ever built 6 years ago was a gate for our fence. My husband guided me through it, and it was an outdoor project so it's not like it needed to be perfect.

You also don't need a ton of space or tools to get started. This a shot of my super tiny workspace in the garage. It's crazy how many projects you can complete with a drill, miter saw, and sander. The next 2 parts of this series will cover tools and workspace organization.

2. PLAN AHEAD AND VISUALIZE.

I am a HUGE proponent of planning out a project. I spend hours thinking of the steps I will take long before I actually start the project. I'm just a planner in general, and I really feel like that trait has helped me with my DIY projects. My favorite tool for this is an old school cheap composition notebook. Take a look at my plan for building an island for my friend.

I plan out dimensions and what other materials I need. It helps me visualize the build so I can troubleshoot potential problems before getting started. Obviously, your plans don't need to be this detailed, but it helps to have an idea of where you're going. Here's a page from my notebook where I visualized what I wanted my refrigerator command center to look like (a great beginner project you can find here).

Even if you just plan something out in your head, it will help prevent problems during the actual project. If you're following a tutorial, read through it a few times from beginning to end.

3. JUMP IN AND GET STARTED.

You can plan all you want, but at some point, you have to actually get started. It's like watching Food Network all the time but never cooking. One of my greatest obstacles to a project is that very first step. I spend too much time thinking how hard the project will be, but 99% of the time, the project is way easier than I thought. So jump in and take that first step! Even if it's just as simple as removing the hardware from a dresser you're refinishing, that easy step often gives you the motivation to keep going. Put one foot in front of the other, and you'll be done before you know it.

That's me with my game face on. Lucy calls it my Darth Vader face, but you know I mean business when I look like that.

4. WHAT'S THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN?

This is probably the #1 thing I tell people who are scared about tackling a DIY project. Recently, I was lucky enough to participate in a DIY project panel with people much more talented than me. We all shared how one of the things we hear the most is that people are scared to do home improvement projects. One of the participants said it seemed like these people were scared that their homes were going to burst into flames if they did something wrong. It sounds silly, but it's so true. People feel like they will do irreparable damage to their homes if they screw something up. Ask yourself: "What's the worst that could happen?" That answer is almost never something that can't be fixed. Usually, the answer goes something like this: "It looks like crap, and I have to pay someone to fix it." If you're willing to do that, then go for it.

IMG_2997

IMG_2998

When I installed these shelves/curtain rods above our breakfast nook windows, I knew I would struggle a little with the angle (angles are not my friend and our house is filled with weird angles). You can see on the left that it's not perfect, but it's barely noticeable from further away. I would much rather do the project and have it not come out perfectly than never attempt it at all.

5. PERSEVERE BUT TAKE BREAKS.

With my recent work on dollhouses, people have been kind enough to tell me how talented I am. I always say thank you, but I point out that it's not so much about talent as it is about perseverance. Even my children (2yo and 3yo) know that word and what it means. When Ricky shoots a basket and misses, he says, "Whoops. Try again." and Lucy responds with, "Good job, Ricky. That's perseverance." I think that is the single greatest skill to cultivate for success in any area of life. As my super awesome friend Jena (@jenamroach on IG) says about learning how to use power tools for her home improvement projects, "Where there's a will and a drill, there's a way." With that being said, be willing to take breaks. When I encounter a problem or get frustrated, that's my cue that it's time to step back and leave the project alone for a while. I often come up with the best solutions during these breaks.

It took me 2 solid weeks to paint all of our kitchen cabinets, and it was a huge undertaking. I have small kids so I knew I couldn't do everything all at once. I broke the project up into sections, and that helped a lot. I was able to see success as I went, which motivated me to keep going. It also helped this massive project feel more manageable. Keep going but take all the breaks you need to finish the project.

I hope these tips encourage you to try your own DIY projects. I'd love for you to share with me on IG. Tag me or shoot me a message. Stay tuned for other installments of this DIY series. You've Got This!